It’s September and Sean Avery is already at it again. It doesn’t matter which team he plays for, it’s the same old story.
The first recollection I have of Dallas Stars forward Sean Avery was during the playoffs in 2002.
I was covering the St.Louis Blues in Detroit when I saw a player I wasn’t too familiar with displaying some pretty impressive skills during a pre-game skate. He was one of maybe three Red Wing players on the ice who weren’t going to play that night. I left the rink that morning wondering who this kid was and how much potential he has down the road.
Watching him play over the years it’s obvious he has a nice combination of raw ability and hockey sense.
Now six years later you wonder just how good he would be if he had common sense.
It’s a good thing for Avery that the NHL doesn’t require player’s to pass a mental test to play in the league.
Look, it’s not my intention here to carve this guy. He’s an entertaining player who plays with such intensity, passion, and enthusiasm I really respect his ability to play hockey.
The problem is I want to respect him as a person as well.
It’s important to point out that he can be extremely effective when he’s on his game. The problem is he still hasn’t learned how to filter it.
We’ve all heard the stories over the years about Sean Avery, they are more like accusations as opposed to stories but still controversy has no problem finding this guy.
From being accused of directing a racial slur towards enforcer Georges Laraque to being accused of taking a verbal shot at Maple Leafs forward Jason Blake concerning his cancer diagnosis during pre-game warm-ups. Both stories Avery denied ever happening which resulted in him serving a Toronto radio station with a notice of libel for the Blake accusation.
Regardless, players around the league are more fed up with this guy than any other player in the NHL. We all remember how the league had to make a rule following his bizarre actions last spring during a playoff game in an effort to distract New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur.
The most recent instance took place Tuesday night in St. Louis when Avery crossed the line again by personally attacking Blues Head Coach Andy Murray. This was a personal attack that cut too close to the bone that I am choosing not to write in respect of the Blues Head Coach.
Obviously there is a bit of history between the two individuals when Avery played for Murray in Los Angeles.
I had an individual who works in the NHL recently tell me Avery is a “world class scumbag”.
Sources say New York wanted nothing to do with this guy this summer even though the Rangers had a far better record with him in the lineup than when he was out with injury.
The bottom line is the guy can play. He brings a dimension to the table that can really help a team. He skates well and has a high level of offensive ability. If he would focus on playing hockey he would be respected throughout the league.
With that being said, he doesn’t care what people think about him which is cool. I don’t have a huge issue with that but his teammates might.
Word is Avery showed up to the Stars plane the other night in sweatpants and a T-shirt. Players are pretty much required to wear suits on team flights. I’m also told Avery was on the cell phone prior to the game when Stars Head Coach Dave Tippett told him it was time for a team meeting. Avery’s response to his Head Coach was, just a minute.
Dave Tippett has never come across to me as a guy who will put up with this act very long.
The rap sheet on this guy is pretty impressive. From being sent home by the Kings a few years back after refusing to participate in a practice drill which resulted in him being suspended for the year, to getting in a heated argument with an opposing teams broadcaster in the dressing room.
One of my favorite stories goes back to 2002 when Avery made a comment to a Detroit reporter about the Wings winning the Stanley Cup and having a parade. This was in the second round of the playoffs which upset a lot of people in the organization. I’m told Joey Kocur, who may go down as one of the toughest to ever play in the NHL, grabbed Avery by the neck and lifted him up after he got wind of the comments Avery made.
Brett Hull was a teammate of Avery’s when the two played in Detroit. Avery apparently lived in a suite on top of Hull’s garage at the time. Hull is one of the few people in the NHL that really respects this guy and gave him a four year contract worth $15.5 million this past July. It’s been said throughout NHL circles that long time Dallas superstar Mike Modano was very upset with the signing.
Karma has a tendency to work in mysterious ways and if Avery continues down this trail he will eventually get his. Whether or not it happens on the ice is a different story.
It’s time to grow up, he’s no longer a kid and it’s become a tired act in the league. Does it really have to be a gong show every night? It’s embarrassing.
The instigator rule won’t protect him from somebody really feeding this guy. It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t want to go, he’s not going to have a choice and somebody will be willing to take a suspension. Players aren’t concerned with whether or not they hurt this guy.
For those of you that enjoy the side show you might want to tune into the first game Dallas faces Calgary this season. Rumor is Flames D-man Dion Phaneuf is dating Avery’s ex Elisha Cuthbert.
Look it’s cool if Avery wants to be the NHL bad boy, date supermodels, and party like a Hollywood celebrity. I can’t find much wrong with that but he might want to learn to channel his energy. At the end of the day he’s going to get hurt. I’m around NHL players every day and they don’t like or care for this guy at all. There have been plenty of effective agitators over the years who don’t get personal with opposing players or coaches. To be honest I can’t find a reasonable instance when a player would ever find the need to speak to an opposing coach.
Settle down Avery, NHL fans like to be entertained but there’s no need to be a clown bro.
Rink Rats!
Mark Parrish is skating and working out with Erik Rasmussen in Minnesota while he waits for an offer from an NHL team. If he’s still jobless when camp breaks he will begin skating with St. Cloud state university.
The Blues entertained the idea of looking at Brian Berard who is unsigned but in camp with the Philadelphia Flyers but have decided they would rather go with a player they have in the organization.
The Blues are not looking to spend the $5.625 million cap hit on Mathieu Schneider. It makes some sense on the surface but the Blues aren’t prepared to take on the salary.
I don’t agree with the NHL coming out with this policy that teams are not required to reveal players injuries. The NFL does this, why shouldn’t the NHL? I understand teams want to protect their multimillion dollar investments but I think it’s a little foolish. If a player is forced to miss a lengthy period of time the injury will likely be revealed.
Blues Clues!
Erik Johnson will likely wait two weeks to undergo surgery to repair his torn ACL and MCL ligaments.
Roman Polak bench pressed 335 pounds to lead the Blues during the club’s strength testing.
Jay McClement squatted a whopping 465 pounds during testing and finished second on the team overall in the strength tests.
Paul Kariya has come into camp in incredible shape finishing first in strength testing.
Where was Brad Winchester when the game was getting a little out of hand last Tueday vs. Dallas? You now play for the Blues Brad and not the Dallas Stars!
I find little reason that Cam Janssen shouldn’t play just about every night this season. If the Blues really want to sell tickets and entertain the fans this guys should be marketed as much as anybody! I said when the Blues traded for him that he would be non-stop entertainment and that’s what he brings to the table every night! He’s been a fan favorite everywhere he’s been his entire hockey career and will provide a valuable role for this hockey club if he’s allowed to.
I’m happy to see Head Coach Andy Murray is taking my advice by using five forwards on the power play during tonight’s pre-season game vs. Atlanta! I suggested it in a recent blog and I wasn’t joking. I’m only kidding here about Andy taking my advice but seriously I think this is a nice move by Murray. Why not try it? The Blues had the worst PP in the NHL last season, I don’t care if they allow 10 shorthanded goals by using five forwards if it means they’ll score 30 more power play goals! Obviously you would rather have a defenseman out there but until one emerges I like this strategy.
I want to give props to Murray on how he’s handled camp thus far. He’s been much more relaxed and poised during this camp as opposed to last year. He seems way more comfortable and deserves to be recognized.
Paul Kariya has told people he thinks Patrik Berglund will be a superstar one day and will be a candidate for rookie for the year. That’s a pretty nice endorsement by a player who knows a little something about being an NHL superstar.
Speaking of Murray, he will be my guest this Tuesday night September 30th at Johnny Mac’s sporting goods located at 10100 Watson Road ¼ mile east of Lindbergh from 6-7. This will be my first Blues Buzz radio show of the season on 1380 am. Please stop by to say hello to Andy! (Murray that is) Also Blues equipment manager Bert Godin will be on hand sharpening skates! This is your opportunity to have your skates professionally sharpened by the best guy in town. I look forward to seeing Blues fans on Tuesday night! Johnny Mac’s will be the home for Blues Buzz all season long every Tuesday from 6-7!
In 2007 Chris Mason wanted to be a part of Team Canada for the World Championships so bad that he volunteered to be the third goaltender. His agent phoned Steve Yzerman and Yzerman had nothing but great things to say about Mason after the tournament. The Blues have another first class goaltender on their hands.
The Blues are looking very hard at Alex Pietrangelo potentially staying for the year. Several players I have spoken to believe this should be the way to go.
I spoke to Jonas Junland today who continues to do excercises to strengthen his injured shoulder. The injury is not considered serious, and Junland has begun doing light skating.
Kids and coaches out there need to pay attention at how good Andy McDonald is at supporting the play and the puck. He makes it so easy for his teammate to deliver a simple pass right on his tape. The guy is an extremely smart player who is always in position.
Ex-Blues D-man Jamie rivers will be in the lineup for Atlanta on Friday night.
More to come,
Andy Strickland
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St Louis Blues Blogger •1380 ESPN • 
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